Winston-Salem in Forsyth County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Sit-In Victory In North Carolina

Photographed by Kelly M, March 7, 2009

1. First Sit-In Victory In North Carolina Marker

Inscription. On February 8, 1960, Carl Wesley Matthews began the city's sit-in demonstration alone at lunch counters near this site and was soon joined by students from Winston-Salem Teachers College, Atkins High School, and Wake Forest College. The nonviolent protest led to a desegregation agreement signed May 23rd by the City and local businesses. Mr. Matthews, the leader, was the first black served at a desegregated counter on May 25th. The protest ended in a record 107 days.

Erected 2000.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1777.

Location. 36° 5.916′ N, 80° 14.669′ W. Marker is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in Forsyth County. It is on West 4th Street 0.1 miles east of NW Liberty Street, on the left when traveling east. Sign is across 4th St from a statue of a soldier. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 W 4th St, Winston Salem NC 27101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont

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and specifically in Piedmont Triad.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: O'Hanlon's Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Forsyth County Men (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Winston-Salem Rotary Club (about 500 feet away); Safe Bus Company (about 600 feet away); The Honorable Willie Jones of Halifax (about 600 feet away); Thomas J. Wilson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of First House Erected in Winston (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nissen Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winston-Salem.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Our Confederate Dead (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Kelly M, March 7, 2009

2. First Sit-In Victory In North Carolina Marker

Photographed by Michael C. Wilcox, January 25, 2012

3. Woolworth's

This is the now-vacant Woolworth's mentioned in the article with the link above, where, "...Matthews and 21 students--10 from Wake Forest and 11 from Winston-Salem State--held a sit-in ... and were arrested for trespassing." The building is just around the corner from the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2009, by Kelly M of Winston Salem, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 4,853 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2009, by Kelly M of Winston Salem, North Carolina. 3. submitted on January 27, 2012, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.